Sanchez and Lloret join undefeated Polish heavyweight Damian
Grabowski, Neil Grove,
Mike
Hayes and Scott
Barrett in the draw, which will serve as a centerpiece in the
fledgling promotion’s third season. The tournament will begin on
Aug. 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood,
Fla.

The 27-year-old Sanchez has pieced together a four-fight winning
streak since his 2008 release from the UFC. He last appeared at
Bellator 20 in May, when he stormed from behind to stop an
exhausted Marcus
Sursa on third-round punches. Sanchez has delivered 11 of his
12 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission.
He has won both of his bouts inside the Bellator cage, including a
spectacular 10-second knockout against Jay White in
May 2009.

“I’m in a better place right now -- mentally and physically -- than
I have been in years,” Sanchez said in a release. “I feel like I’m
in the best shape of my fighting career, and, more than anything,
my head is right. I belong here in this tournament with the rest of
the top heavyweight talent Bellator has put together. I’m going to
the finale, and I’m going to win this tournament.”

Lloret will enter the tournament on an eight-fight unbeaten streak.
The 31-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has secured six of
his nine wins by submission. He last competed in April, when he
knocked out Miodrag
Petkovic with a high kick at a Strength and Honor Championship
show in Switzerland. Lloret suffered his only career defeat to
current UFC light heavyweight Jared
Hamman in July 2007.

“Signing with Bellator means a big step forward in my career as a
fighter since it provides me the opportunity to face other great
fighters in an event with major media repercussions worldwide,”
Lloret said. “My goal is to advance as many rounds as possible and
offer exciting fights to solidify my reputation as a fighter.”